Comment submitted by Karen Brown Kane

Hello, my name is Karen Brown Kane. I’m a lifelong resident of Champaign, IL and I’m a member of Prairie Rivers Network. Less than 30 miles from my home lies the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River; Illinois’ only National Scenic River. Three coal ash pits are located in the western floodplain of the Middle Fork. The site presents three major issues: (1) ongoing pollution of groundwater that runs beneath the pits, and at points running through the pits; (2) pollution of the Middle Fork through seeps which are hydrologically connected to the buried coal ash; and (3) the risk of a catastrophic breach, where massive amounts of coal ash could inundate the Middle Fork. Fishermen, kayakers, swimmers, wildlife and nearby residents are in danger of exposure to deadly chemicals when they utilize the river. Coal ash exposure can cause Cancer, neurological damage, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, kidney and liver damage, and reproductive and developmental problems. These rollbacks will eliminate restrictions on the use of coal ash as a substitute for clean soil in any location, even in places such as parks, playgrounds, residential developments and hospitals, despite high levels of arsenic and radium in coal ash. As a grandmother and community member, I find this completely unacceptable. Coal companies have had since 2015 to make plans to clean up their ash pits. They don’t need to be given more time, at taxpayer’s expense and health, to delay ash pit cleanup. The lives of IL residents are being put in danger every moment these ash pits remain open. The Environmental Protection Agency’s job is to PROTECT our environment and us, not PROMOTE coal companies, in their efforts to delay and defy regulations. The EPA MUST ensure that ALL coal ash is cleaned up and reject this dangerous proposal. Thank you.